Stream Movies and Photos to Your TV with Samsung Link

Have you ever wondered how you stream all your content stored on your computer, such as movies and photographs to your Samsung Smart television? Well, that's easily achievable with Samsung's very own software called Samsung Link, formerly called Allshare.

Update: Samsung Link has been discontinued and can no longer be downloaded from Samsung's website. A new app called Samsung Smart View can be downloaded and used to stream movies and pictures to your Samsung Smart devices. However, this program is still in its beta stage, and I've found it to be borderline useless as it won't allow me to add files and keeps crashing. If and when a stable version gets released, I will write a guide on how to use it.

If you can't get the new app to work, you can download a program called Plex Media Server, which allows you to stream content from your PC to your TV, et cetera. The program works fairly good most of the time, but can be a little temperamental.

What is Samsung Link?

With the help of Samsung Link you can easily transfer data (photos, videos, music, etc.) that is stored on your laptop, tablet or even smartphone straight over to your Smart television via your Internet connection.

A couple of years ago Samsung stomped out the name "AllShare" and launched an improved app called "Link". Using this app you are able to link your compatible Samsung devices on the same network and stream media files such as pictures, photos and audio files to one another. Almost a type of cloud storage and network player in one.

Why Samsung decided to completely rename the software, instead of upgrading "Allshare" is unknown. However, Samsung has released the Samsung Link Platform as a fully redesigned app. Apparently, the functionality is the same as before.

Samsung Link easily allows streaming of contents between your PC and AllShare compatible devices. Without the clutter of wires you can transfer the latest photos from your digital camera to your PC or download your music library on your mobile phone. Newer Samsung devices such as Smart TVs, Blu-ray players, camcorders and smartphones support the software and can be all be easily integrated.

How do you download and use the software?

1. First thing you need to do is head over to Samsung's website called link.samsung.com.

2. Unfortunately, there isn't a direct download link. Therefore you need to sign up confirm your email address and sign in. Once that is completed you will automatically be given a download link.

3. Click on "download" and save the software to your computer.

4. Once the software has finished downloading, located it on your PC and double-click to start the installation process.

5. Decide where you want the software to be installed on your PC and click the next button.

6. Click on the "done" button once the process has finished.

7. Next step is to restart your PC. This isn't always necessary, but helps if you cannot find the Samsung Link icon.

8. Once your computer has booted up, scroll down to the right-hand bottom corner and find the Samsung Link icon. It's a small grey coloured icon which will turn blue once you sign in.

9. Double-click on the icon and select "nearby device connection settings". Please note, you may get a warning from your firewall asking you if you want to give permission to the Samsung software. Click yes.

10. Your web browser such as Internet Explorer or Firefox should open and display some settings for you.

11. Next you need to allow access to both your television and PC or other compatible device that you are using to stream media.

12. Next step is to scroll down until you see the "add" button.

13. Click on the "add" button and select the location where your movies and pictures are stored. This is usually local disk (C:).

14. Once you have selected the local disk, scroll down to "users" and select the name you have given to your PC.

15. From there, scroll down again and select the folder where you store the files you want to stream. Normally your videos are stored in your video folder and the pictures in your picture folder, et cetera.

16. Click okay.

Basically, that is it. You've now given permission for contents stored in a certain folder from your PC or other device to be streamed to your Smart television. Simply repeat the same process to add more folders. You can add a total of 15. The software will now scan your PC for all available contents. This can take some time, so be patient.

To stream content from your PC to your Smart television, simply turn on your PC or other device and then select the source button on your Samsung Smart television remote. From there, scroll along until you see the "allshare icon" and selected it and the folder/s where your media contents is stored. If and when you add new material to your PC, you may need to restart it before the television picks it up.